Operation at Lonuziyaaraai took place presence of local media- Police

Maldives Police Service (MPS) has said that the police operation which started at the Lonuziyaaraai area on 19 March 2012 took place in the presence of local media officials and further state that those news sources who claim they were rejected admittance were stating so without any factual basis.

MPS said that the major operation that took place yesterday evening was to restore the peace to the capital city as well as to investigate the complaints received from public sources that criminal activity was taking place at the camping site. Police added that they had definite reason to believe that the violent attacks in Male’ was connected to the protestors who started demonstrations from the Lonuziyaarai Magu ‘Raalhugandu Sarahadhu’. The Police acted in this operation empowered by law under the clause 244 of Constitution of Maldives and clause 6 of Police Act 5/2008.

The police only vacated the people in the area in order to preserve the site for inspection and search of evidence depicting any illegal activity in the area however, media officials with proper identification were permitted to enter beyond police lines. The MPS would like to reiterate that all media had appropriate admittance to view the procedures of the security personnel acting at the site.

The public is informed that items confiscated from the area will be returned to its rightful owner in accordance to the proper police procedures and local media is advised to report facts responsibly to the community.